Prolotherapy versus rooster comb injections

Prolotherapy has the unique ability to directly address the cause of instability and repair the weakened sites, resulting in permanent joint stabilization.

by Dr. Fred G. Arnold —

A question frequently asked by many patients is “What is the difference between prolotherapy and rooster comb injections?” Although both treatments are used to treat painful arthritic knees, distinct differences exist between the two treatments.

Both prolotherapy and rooster comb are injection therapies to reduce pain in the knee affected by osteoarthritis, increase mobility and allow more activity.

How do these injections work?

Prolotherapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by trauma or arthritis. Joints weakened when ligaments and tendons are stretched, torn or fragmented become hypermobile and painful. Prolotherapy has the unique ability to directly address the cause of instability and repair the weakened sites, resulting in permanent joint stabilization.

Prolotherapy injections create a mild, controlled inflammation that stimulates the body to lay down new cartilage, tendon and ligament fibers, resulting in a strengthening of the weakened structure. When the joint gets stronger, pain is relieved.

Rooster comb injections cushion and lubricate the knee in the same way that synovial fluid — secreted naturally by the lining of the joint — does. These injections work like brake fluid in your car by lubricating the parts to prevent them from grinding against one another as they move.

While rooster comb treatments may help reduce pain and improve mobility, they do not cure osteoarthritis, stop the progression of the disease or heal worn cartilage.

What is the difference?

Prolotherapy injections normally contain an anesthetic such as lidocaine and an irritant such as dextrose to treat most joints of the body. The treatment method is also referred to as RIT (regenerative injection therapy).

Rooster comb injections contain hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) and are injected into the knee joint to provide lubrication and relief from osteoarthritis symptoms. This method is also known as viscosupplementation.

Prolotherapy is used to treat most of the joints in the body, including the knees, shoulders, spinal joints, hands, feet, pelvis and hips. Rooster comb injections are only approved for treatment of mild to moderate knee arthritis.

Are there side effects?

Serious side effects are rare with both types of injections. Prolotherapy injections should be avoided if the patient has known allergies to the solutions used: lidocaine, dextrose or B12. Rooster comb injections should not be given to people with egg or poultry allergies. Occasionally, a severe reaction of swelling, redness and pain, called a pseudoseptic reaction, can occur with some rooster comb injections.

What can be expected?

Since prolotherapy creates a regeneration of cartilage, ligament and tendon tissue, the results can be permanent. Rooster comb injections provide temporary relief of arthritic pain. Pain relief is usually obtained within four to 12 weeks, and the effect has been shown to last for up to several months. The treatment is then repeated as necessary.

Prolotherapy injections are initially provided every two to four weeks, depending on the severity of the condition. Usually, four to six injections are needed to provide stability and pain relief. Pain relief may be immediate or take a course of many weeks as actual regeneration of cartilage, tendon and ligament tissue occurs.

Rooster comb injections range from a one-time injection to weekly injections for three to five weeks over the course of several weeks. These injections can be repeated once a year in most patients.

Conclusion

Both prolotherapy and rooster comb injections are used to treat painful arthritic knees. Prolotherapy injections are used to treat most of the joints in the body, while rooster comb injections, at this time, are only used to treat knees. Each injection procedure utilizes a specialized solution to reduce pain, increase mobility and improve functioning. Both treatment methods normally require multiple treatments over several weeks with minimal to no side effects.

The main difference between the two treatments is that prolotherapy can give permanent results, while rooster comb injections are temporary. Prolotherapy injections cause an actual regeneration of tissue, such as cartilage, tendon and ligaments; rooster comb injections provide a temporary lubricating effect to the knee joint.

Fred G. Arnold, N.M.D., has more than 20 years of clinical experience and specializes in pain rehabilitation services. He is certified in prolotherapy by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine, a Fellow in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine, a Fellow of American Academy of Ozonotherapy and certified in Chelation. He is one of the few physicians in the nation with both a naturopathic medical degree and chiropractic degree. 602-292-2978 or prolotherapyphoenix.com.

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